School boards in South Carolina vary greatly. The smallest ones have five members, while the largest ones - Greenville and Horry - have the most with 12 members.

Five, seven and nine members reflect the most prevalent patterns for district school boards in South Carolina. Exceptions include Beaufort with 11 board members; Spartanburg Two with 10 members and Darlington with eight members. Of the remaining districts 41 have seven members; 24 have nine members; and 15 have five members.

Elections

Board members are elected in 78 of the 83 districts. Seven districts have members appointed by a County Board. Sixty-four elections take place in November. Special elections and appointments occur in other months in the remaining districts.

Appointed

Only seven boards have all members appointed by a County Board: Clarendon Two, Dillon One, Two and Three and Marion One, Two and Seven. Clarendon One has four appointed and five elected members.

Partisan/non-partisan elections

Most school board members are elected in non-partisan elections, some are appointed and some run in partisan elections. In three districts, candidates run in partisan elections - Chester, Horry and Lee Counties.

In two counties, Horry and Marlboro, the public elects the board chairman.

• Board Member Selection (Adobe Acrobat document)
• Compensation (Adobe Acrobat document)
• Demographics (Adobe Acrobat document)
• Fiscal authority (Adobe Acrobat document)
• Referenda scorecard

For more information, contact Debbie Elmore, 1.800.326.3679.